Debbie Millman

Designer, Author, Educator and podcast host
School of Visual Arts

Debbie Millman is a designer, author, educator and brand strategist. She host of the award-winning podcast “Design Matters,” the world’s first podcast on design; Chair of the world’s first Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts; the editorial and creative director of Print Magazine and President Emeritus of AIGA. She is the author of six books on design and branding.

What role does music play in your day-to-day life as a creative?

Music is critical to my life. It enriches my soul, it inspires my spirit and it changes and influences my DNA.

Tell us about your playlist:

Music is fundamental to my life and provides a telegraphic shortcut to the minutiae of my history. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the role that music has in my work. It is a rare moment that I am not listening to music when I am making art. Whether it is jazz or hip-hop, show tunes or folk tunes, music underscores every effort, every mood and every image. This playlist is an homage to color in an effort to honor the influence music has on the work that I do.

The Black Hawk War, Or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself In the Morning, Or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience But You’re Going to Have to Leave Now, Or… – Sufjan Stevens

Blue Light – Mazzy Star

Chartreuse – ZZ Top

Deep Dark Blue – Cécile McLorin Salvant

Purple Toupee – They Might Be Giants

Violet Rays – The Smashing Pumpkins

Violet Stars Happy Hunting! – feat. The Skunks – Janelle Monáe

Grey Gardens – Rufus Wainwright

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VARIOUS ARTISTSInvites creatives to share their relationship with music by creating and talking about playlists and mixes.